PrepRedzoneIL 2026 Rankings Coverage: DB, DL, and ATHs Breakdown
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There’s only a couple of PrepRedzoneIL 2026 rankings feature left, and it’s been a fun ride, to say the least! Now that the initial introductory batch of 2026s has hit the recruiting scene, and our site has covered the Top-20…
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Continue ReadingThere’s only a couple of PrepRedzoneIL 2026 rankings feature left, and it’s been a fun ride, to say the least! Now that the initial introductory batch of 2026s has hit the recruiting scene, and our site has covered the Top-20 and the Watchlist in depth, we’re digging deep into the positional rankings and breaking down the defensive backs, defensive linemen, and athletes who make up our talented and accomplished Top-60. As a quick reminder, I’m already in the process of gathering names that we missed in the initial round of cataloging and ranking, so after the coverage of the 2024s finishes up in a few weeks, they’ll be a mini micro-update at the beginning of the summer, just to make sure we didn’t miss any freshman studs. Additionally, we already covered the Top-20 in-depth, so the DBs, DLs, and ATHs from inside the top third of the state won’t be mentioned again here. Check out that feature on the Top-20 here if you haven’t read it already –> https://prepredzone.com/2023/04/prepredzoneil-2026-rankings-update-top-20-breakdown/
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Our current DB1 Jayden Marshall Jayden Marshall 5’11” | 150 lbs | DB Crete-Monee | 2026 State IL lands just outside the Top-20 in #22 overall. The Crete-Monee first year, who continues a long line of standout athletes to walk the halls of the Warriors from south suburban Chicago, was a varsity starter last fall at CB and brings a ton of toughness to still-growing 5’11, 145 lb. frame. He’s already a superb open field tackler who is strong at the point of attack and plays with good angles that allow him to stick RBs where they stand and negate any further yardage. It’s fun to watch. I also like Marshall’s ability to play the ball in off-man coverage, where he gets out of his breaks well, cuts off and works under receivers at the catch point, and contest passes in the air. He was an easy choice for DB1 and with the tradition of developing high-end high school football prospects Crete-Monee possesses I’d be excited about this dude.
Highlights
One of an abundance of Spartans represented on the inaugural PRzIL 2026 rankings, 6′, 180 lber. Tanner Glock Tanner Glock 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Wheaton St. Francis | 2026 State IL comes in at #23 overall and put some good reps on tape as a freshman WR, LB, and DB. I could see him playing a variety of positions these next three years, especially if he keeps adding to his frame, and last fall he split time between JV and varsity to kick off his career with a hot start. A dynamic and athletic football player, Glock can do a lot of things on the gridiron and do them well, including speed, burst, and quickness as a wideout, a fearlessness and natural ability to play the ball in the air as a DB, and physicality as a linebacker. He’s able to operate productively around the box or out in space and was a do-it-all playmaker in 2022. I’m very excited to see how he translates the game into a full-time varsity contributor and I think he has the means and mentality to make it happen this fall. As to where he’ll line up primarily? We’ll have to see!
Highlights
The top-ranked Crusader in the PRzIL 2026 rankings, 6’3, 230 lb. King Liggins King Liggins 6’4″ | 255 lbs | DL Brother Rice | 2026 State IL finished up a solid youth football and wrestling career and was named an MVP and Top Performer in last spring’s PrepRedzoneNEXT Midwest Showcase prior to his first year of high school football. He kept the momentum going well in Brother Rice and CCL, where the freshman shows off a good athletic skillset for his size and age that allows him to pursue and close out to the edge, use his hands and natural size/strength to beat blocking attempts, and get off the ball quickly. Liggins is still raw and developing his game, but all of the tools are present and spell out a bright future of the young buck. Brother Rice reloads once again!
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I got to see our #28 overall ranked prospect Braeden Jones Braeden Jones 6’4″ | 245 lbs | DL Mount Carmel | 2026 State IL as an eighth grader twoish years ago at the illustrious AYF youth national tournament in Kissimmee, Florida when he played for the Southside Wolfpack out of Chicago, and he was one of the biggest and baddest dudes I saw the entire tournament. Against the Wichita Cowboys, Jones commanded double and triple teams all game long, and despite the Wolfpack’s loss that day, he made a big impression on me and I was pumped to see him continue to make noise at the high school level as a freshman at powerhouse Mount Carmel. Now a 6’5, 230 lb. DE, Jones was a force against non-varsity competition last fall for the Caravan and displayed a good get-off that allowed him to beat OTs to their inside shoulder, active and effective hands when getting off blocks, which includes a good punch at the point of attack, and the ability to stay square when scraping down the LOS to tackle in space. Still raw and needs to develop his pass rushing game, but Jones is a big kid who moves well at his size and is already a big asset in the run game. I’m excited to see what the future holds and I’ll be keeping a close eye on the Wolfpack alum.
Highlights
One of many St. Francis Spartans you lovely readers will get to read about throughout this PRzIL 2026 rankings coverage, 6’1, 245 lb. defensive lineman Brady Hill Brady Hill 6’2″ | 265 lbs | DL Wheaton St. Francis | 2026 State IL helped the Spartans JV squad to an undefeated 9-0 record with a point differential of 416-36. He also got some varsity action as a freshman to boot. Defensively, he has some strong reps as a DE and LB, where his strong, compact frame looks powerful and spry and can be used to its full advantage. I like how he can flip his hips to beat OTs to their outside shoulder, as well as set them up with a speed rush upfield and put some shake at the top of the arch to beat them back playside. Hill has a good get off as well, and he showed his general mobility in varsity action against Westmont as a LB, where he ran down plays a the edge of the field and lay big hits when he gets a full head of steam going. Also was strong and solid as an offensive lineman as well. His capability to disrupt and impact both the run and pass games is going to come in handy as he works for a full-time varsity spot.
Highlights
Rounding out the Top-30 and heading the talented Nazareth Academy 2026s is 5’7, 160 lb. athlete Edward Mcclain Edward Mcclain 5’6″ | 160 lbs | ATH Nazareth Academy | 2026 State IL Jr., who earned significant varsity reps as a freshman and helped the Roadrunners to a magical finish and a 5A state championship in 2022. Tough, strong, and athletic, McClain played a variety of different positions in 2022, most consistently at CB and RB, and is a natural and controlled football player who fit right in at the varsity level despite his age. Loose hips and clean footwork in coverage out on the perimeter who is great out of his breaks, comfortable and impressive at tackling in space, and strong at the point of attack for his size as a freshman CB last fall. As a RB, he’s got good vision and a shifty running style that makes him hard for defenders to square up and get hands on, contact balance from his strong lower body, and solid speed to boot. McClain is going to be a hurricane-like force these next three years of high school football.
First identified by the one-and-only Jake Lemming, PRZ’s national scouting director and general manager, Jacksonville High School’s Dashawn Armstrong Dashawn Armstrong 5’8″ | 140 lbs | ATH Jacksonville | 2026 State IL clocks in at #39 overall and our 7th ranked athlete in the current 2026 PRzIL rankings. He’s one of a handful of RB hybrids I am very excited about going forward, and is yet another downstate Illinois product set to make big waves in the high school recruiting scene. Currently, he’s still classified as an athlete, primarily because of his defensive tape from 2022, and although he’s got the potential to be a two-way contributor through high school I could see RB turning into his primary position eventually. With varsity RB experience already under his belt from 2022, Armstrong shows off burst, a strong lower body, and some juice after the catch that can run through weaker tackle attempts and keep defenders off balance with his footwork. Defensively, Armstrong is a solid open field tackler and gets out of his breaks pretty well to impact both the run and pass game. If he can work on dropping his hips and staying lower in coverage he’s got the chance to be recruited at DB as well. His wrestling background reveals his toughness on the gridiron, and Armstrong is only just scratching the surface of his football prowess.
Another Roadrunner putting some strong defensive tape together as a freshman in 2022, 6’1, 195 lb. defensive lineman Lesroy Tittle has made some noise both in pads last fall and unpadded this offseason circuit, winning the Boom Football Best of the Best MVPs for the DL position. I’m really excited about his future if he adds good weight the next few years, as his long, lean frame is already strong and held up well in varsity action as a freshman in 1-on-1 setting defensively and on special teams. Twitchy enough to win reps off the snap and strong enough to win with bull rushes and hold off combos to keep his gap, Tittle closes impressively, is comfortable and effective executing stunts and twists, and has the motor and pursuit speed to run down plays out to the edge. Athletic, controlled, and physical, Tittle is a very promising defensive lineman prospect who is still of his budding high school football superiority.
Harold L. Richards High School is very excited about their freshman sensation Ahmad Buchanan Ahmad Buchanan 5’11” | 170 lbs | DB Richards | 2026 State IL , who measures in at 5’11, 170 lbs. and is currently holding down the #42 overall and DB2 spot in our recently launched PrepRedzoneIL 2026 rankings. As a wide receiver and defensive back last fall, Buchanan showed off ball skills, speed, and a playmaking mentality on both sides of the ball. I really like his technique as a cornerback, where he catches and cuts off wideouts, is strong at the catch point and undercuts or plays receivers hands well, and can lay a heckuva thump when he’s got some run up and momentum going. Offensively, I also like his concentration and balance when reeling in passes, and he’s got some strength and power after the catch as well. Strong, fast, and productive are three good things to have at Buchanan’s age and size, and Richards High School is right on the $ in knowing they have a good one on their hands.
I’ve been a huge fan of Oak Park-River Forest’s athletic program since I first saw their wrestling team compete more than a decade ago at a national team tournament in Minnesota, and I’m consistently checking in and keeping an eye on the Huskies football and wrestling programs year to year for my own entertainment. I’m not the only one at PrepRedzone who is a big fan of 6’1, 175 lber. Johnny Nelson Johnny Nelson 6’1″ | 175 lbs | ATH Oak Park-River Forest | 2026 State IL , who plays QB for the Huskies non-varsity squads but is too athletic and mobile/run-heavy to categorize to one position right now. As a rusher, Nelson is fast, shifty, and has a strong lower body that has no problems running through tackle attempts on his lower body. He popped off some dominant runs last fall, and also shows off a strong arm that can generate velocity on shorter/intermediate throws, as well as touch on downfield passes, and can move his offense from either inside or outside the pocket. Nelson looked like the best player on the field last fall and I’m pumped to see him against varsity competition these next few years. Go Huskies!
Our #47 and #9 ranked 2026 in the PRzIL 2026 introductory rankings, Hillcrest’s DE McHale Blade McHale Blade 6’4″ | 230 lbs | DL Hillcrest | 2026 State IL is another eye-catching defensive line prospect with great size for his age, as he measures in at 6’4, 230+ going into the summer. He’s already helping to continue Hillcrest’s long streak of being a hotbed of talent, and teams are taking notice, including the instate Illini, who hosted the DE in early April for a spring practice. Blade possesses an eye-catching first step and get-off, and flies into the backfield like he’s shot out of a cannon and can easily disrupt runs and passes before they develop. I also like his thump at the point of attack and strong hands, and he also shows off skills as a tackler who can make the play in 1-on-1 settings when given an opportunity. His promising and powerful skillset make him an easy contender to rise up these rankings come next update. More big-time visits are in Blade’s future!
2026er Hunter Niklos Hunter Niklos 6’1″ | 170 lbs | ATH Parkview Christian | 2026 State IL already sports an impressive resume coming out of the Illinois 8-man football ranks and Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville. Niklos was a two-way starter on the football team as a freshman who also started on the school’s soccer squad during the fall and the basketball team during the winter, the 6’1, 170 lber. is the son of legendary Western Illinois fullback/TE J.R., who was a 6-year NFL vet, and he’s the nephew of two former collegiate All-Americans on top of it all. Young Hunter has some game, and brings good speed to both sides of the ball as a WR and cornerback. He can take the top off a defense, shows some quickness when creating separation at the LOS in his releases, and has some solid contact balance when he’s got the ball in his hand. Defensively, he brings physicality along with that speed, and I like his range, closing speed, and some real efficiency at avoiding blocks out on the edge of his defense. The speed still stands out the most, and I think it’s fair to say that Hunter, just like his old man before him, has a bright future on the gridiron.
Waubonsie Valley’s 6’3, 190 lber. Colin Ford Colin Ford 6’3″ | 195 lbs | ATH Waubonsie Valley | 2026 State IL is a three-sport standout with a 4.0 GPA who mans the QB spot in the Warriors non-varsity ranks, and although he’s got a big arm, he’s just too big, dynamic, and athletic to categorize as a QB-only for his foreseeable future and recruitment. Ford was deadly as a read-option QB last fall, and was a force to be reckoned with when he tucked the ball and took off, especially with some steam behind those long legs. I like his vision and strong lower body that easily powers through weaker tackles, and Ford is also a tough kid who will hang in the pocket and finish a throw through an oncoming hit, as well as complete throws on the move or inside the pocket. I’m quite interested to see how he continues to grow, develop, and progress on the gridiron, and next fall will be a big one in terms of where his primary position may be. Either way, Ford has a big fan in PRzIL!
Gurnee product and Warren Township freshman X’Zavion Montgomery X’Zavion Montgomery ATH Warren Township | 2026 State IL clocks in at #54 overall in our 2026 introductory PRzIL rankings and recently was a part of WTHS’s record-breaking 4×1 44.70 track and field time. He also posted a 350 lb. squat in April. The 5’8, 160 lber. played JV and varsity for the Blue Devils last fall and is one of the quickest and most elusive players in the entire rankings. With speed, balance, burst, and a knack for the big play, Montgomery is electric with the ball in his hands and very hard for opponents to corral and get hands on. He’s also a strong tackler with quick feet and great technique as a corner in press-man, with good physicality, hand usage, and eye discipline. He’s more than ready and able to play on an island out on the perimeter, and is also physical and willing to come up and support the run. Montgomery is a natural and athletic two-way prospect who could be recruited on either side of the ball going forward. The dude is fun to watch and is a major name to know going forward. Keep up the great work, XZavion!
5’10, 160 lb. Geneva RB/LB/DB Dominic Dileonardi Dominic Dileonardi 5’10” | 160 lbs | ATH Geneva | 2026 State IL posted a monster stat line as a freshman to the tune of 1,443 total offensive yards and 16 TDs as well as 2 INTs defensively for the Vikings freshman squad. Big play speed that can torch pursuit angles when he sees daylight and gets the sideline, the vision to turn negative-looking rushes into long gains, and some exciting elusiveness and quickness that leaves defenders grasping for air and trying to find their ankles after attempting to tackle him. Dileonardi was a splash play waiting to happen last fall and a 1-on-1 matchup that opponents were dreading in the open field. We’ll see if he can continue the explosiveness and production next fall, but things are looking promising for the standout Geneva freshman. It’s a great time to be a Viking!
Highlights
Providence Catholic has some 2026s making noise in the Illinois high school football recruiting scene and sees a standout offensive and defensive weapon round out the introductory ’26 rankings for PRzIL. The 6′, 175 lb. RB, WR, and safety Xavier Coleman is long, strong at the point of attack, and dynamic, and was a beast at the non-varsity levels of the Celtics. I like his quickness, top end speed, and fight to gain extra yardage as a RB, and his safety highlights are eye-catching as well, where he can cover a ton of ground in run support and lay big hits at the contact point. His size and skillset belong and will fit nicely on varsity going forward and he’s another top contender to make a significant climb in the rankings come the next update.